The GPS control dialog
The GPS control dialog is divided into 2 sections, input and output. Here you can select the
source of the GPS data and control how it is read. Also, you can output the data being read
to a serial port (for transmission to other GPS devices) or record the data to a file to allow
for playback later.
Input control
The upper section of the dialog controls the input of GPS data. In this section you may choose
between obtaining GPS data from:
- a serial port (from a plugged in GPS receiver),
- or from a previously saved recording of GPS data that is stored in a file,
Selecting "None" in the Input section will turn off GPS input. To choose a different serial
port or file from the one shown, click on the button showing the port or file name (initially
the file name button will be blank).
If you click on the button with "..." next to the Serial port you will be able to control
the serial port settings. Leave these set to the default unless your device requires special
settings.
If you click on the button with "..." next to File selection you will be able to control
the rate at which data is read. This is useful if you are reviewing a trip previously recorded
and would like to speed up or slow down the action.
- Intrinsic means that the data will be read with the same timing as when it was
recorded.
- Fixed rate means that a data packet will be sent at the rate specified. For example,
if the value is 1000 then a data packet will be sent every 1000 milliseconds, or one per
second.
- Ratio of intrinsic will speed up or slow down the data transmission by the specified
percentage. For example, if the value is set to 50% the data will be provided at half the
original rate; if the value is 1000% the data will be fed at 10 times the original rate
Output control
The lower section of the dialog controls the output of GPS data. In this section you may choose
between writing the data to a serial port, a file, or to do no further output.
Selecting "None" in the Ouput section will turn off GPS output; the data will be available within
Mariner, but will not be sent externally. To choose a different serial port or file from the one
shown, click on the button showing the port or file name (initially the file name button will be
blank).
When selecting the output port or file is is important not to choose the same value as the
currently active input source. For example, if the current input is serial port 1, then setting
the output to serial port 1 will not work.